No Wake Zone Ordinance Fails

Houston County Commission Chairman Dewey Severson called to close the October 3 regularly scheduled meeting for a public hearing on the proposed no wake zone ordinance.

Environmental Services Director Martin Herrick summarized the proposed ordinance as no wake zone starting at the West Channel bridge and going north one mile. The speed limit is 5 mph or less. Herrick added that the total cost for the four buoys is $3,664.32 and the annual cost to install the buoys in the spring and in the fall is $900. There being no public comment, Chairman Severson called to resume the regular meeting.

Before the commission voted on the ordinance, commissioners voiced their opinions. Severson shared that the neighborhood has been asking for the no wake zone for many years, and Commissioner Burns added that it is a safety issue for the families that live on Shore Acres Road. Commissioner Schuldt wishes the contract was for more than one year because he wonders what the installation cost will be after the first year. Discussion centered on the fact that the zone is only 100’ and not the entire channel, with Johnson stating, “I don’t feel it is worth the effort to do it.” Chairman Severson called for a roll call vote. The motion did not pass, with Severson and Burns voting in the affirmative, and Johnson, Schuldt, and Myhre voting nay.

Commissioner Burns noted, “It is the best we could do under the circumstances given.”

All five commissioners were in attendance: Chairman Dewey Severson, Eric Johnson, Robert (Bob) Burns, Bob Schuldt, and Greg Myhre.

Severson led his fellow commissioners and the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. The board unanimously approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from the September 26 commission meeting.

Commission Myrhe feels that it would be best for all parties if the commissioners did an investigation regarding the complaints and possible ethic violations voiced at the September 26, 2023, commission meeting regarding the county’s Request for Proposal (RFP) and contract process as it relates to Wildcat Landing. Chairman Severson abstained and Commission Burns voted no with the other three commissioners voting yes to hire an outside entity to investigate the county’s RFP process as it relates to the Wildcat Landing management contract. The motion passed.

In other business the commission

•Approved hiring Patricia Goetzinger Krall as a transport officer in the sheriff’s office at an hourly wage of $18.53.

•Approved changing the employment status of Deputy Sheriff Lucas Inglett from probationary to regular effective October 10, 2023.

•Approved Personnel Director Tess Kruger’s request to initiate a competitive search for a full-time case aid for the public health office.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:28 a.m.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Houston County Commission is Tuesday, October 10, at 9 a.m. in the County Commission Board Room 222, located on the second floor in the historic county courthouse, Caledonia, or via the county conference call line (312) 626-6700 enter ID: 994-7297-7175 and password 368422. Public attendees are requested to mute their line until addressed.